Aids Fight

November 12, 1987|By Selene Ganek.

GLENCOE — In Joan Beck`s column, ``Lobbying lessons of AIDS could help heart attack care`` (Oct. 26), she once again expresses her resentment that other diseases such as heart-related illnesses might not get the same attention, political commitment, public interest and education that have been mobilized to fight AIDS.

I would have to say that in the same six-year period that the cause of AIDS has been pinpointed, its method of transmission discovered and a promising drug treatment developed, public education on heart-related problems has become equally prominent. Such facts as people eating low-cholesterol and low-sodium diets, getting regular exercise, avoiding obesity and respecting hazardous health warnings on cigarette packages have become widespread knowledge.

We would all like to see a cure for cancer, Alzheimer`s, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and heart disease in the near future. I think the bigger problem is the lack of compassion shown for the homosexual community, which has been the primary victims of AIDS.